Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Magistrate Liu looked at the two people who had caused such dramatic ups and downs in his life and let out a silent sigh. If not for these two, he would have lost not only his official cap but his very life.

Now, thanks to these two, Dongling County had achieved a great victory in the fight against the epidemic.

Dongling County was the first to contain the plague and the first to develop a cure.

It took a full nine days to develop the remedy. Within three days, all the medical tents were using it. Three days later, "Chen's Pharmaceutical" worked overtime to produce the finished product and distribute it to pharmacies in various cities.

From the discovery of the epidemic to its containment, stabilization, gradual recovery, and full recovery, Dongling County took only three months.

The death toll was kept in the double digits.

This was unprecedented.

This was a political achievement for him.

Such a brilliant achievement was enough to save both his life and his official position.

Magistrate Liu knew that these two had helped him greatly, and he was overwhelmed with gratitude toward them.

He had never imagined that "Chen's Pharmaceutical," which he had initially overlooked, would become his lifeline.

Nor had he ever imagined that these two would be the ones to save his life.

He felt a myriad of emotions toward them, especially toward Huo Jilin.

His emotions were extremely complicated. The one thing he could be grateful for was that Huo Jilin had never set his sights on his position. Huo Jilin's rank was Regional Commander, which didn't clash much with his own.

Of course, there was even less to worry about now, because this man was so capable that he was so far beyond him that he couldn't even feel jealous.

Because Huo Jilin's future rank was beyond anything he could imagine.

He had gone from wariness to genuine admiration.

All in just three short months.

A thousand words were unnecessary; everything was in the wine.

When the door closed, Magistrate Liu straightened his robes and bowed deeply to the two: "Thank you both for your great righteousness in saving the lives of tens of thousands of people in Dongling County. As the local magistrate, I thank you on behalf of the people of Dongling County."

Huo Jilin and Chen Jue received his bow. Magistrate Liu had initially been in utter despair, even going so far as to send his family away.

There were far too many officials like this who did nothing.

If he were just a commoner, Huo Jilin wouldn't have said anything, but he was a local official.

Too cowardly, too lacking in backbone.

However, in the end, he had followed his orders and not caused trouble, which could be considered making amends.

Huo Jilin reached out to support him: "Magistrate Liu, you flatter us. This was our duty."

Magistrate Liu stood up and personally poured wine for both of them: "This cup is to toast you both, to thank you for saving me and my entire family. This is my personal thanks. Please accept it."

Magistrate Liu signaled his wife to bring out the small box she had prepared.

This was common practice in official circles, but this time it wasn't a bribe. He had genuinely told his wife to bring out their family savings. No amount of silver could adequately express his gratitude to these two.

Although he also had selfish motives, hoping Huo Jilin would continue to look favorably on his seventh-rank position. After all, even if Huo Jilin rose higher, his "Chen's Pharmaceutical" would remain here, and it would become his political achievement in the future.

So Magistrate Liu's thanks were very sincere. His wife, Lady Yuan, slid the box in front of Chen Jue and said with a smile: "I don't know what Doctor Chen likes. This is my dowry, and it contains quite a bit of gold, silver, and jewelry..."

Chen Jue looked at the small box she opened and smiled: "Lady Yuan is too kind. We don't need these. Since it's your dowry, you should keep it safe."

Lady Yuan let out an "ah" and didn't know what to do. She really didn't know what Chen Jue liked.

Huo Jilin said to Magistrate Liu with a smile: "Magistrate Liu, personal rewards are unnecessary. Please promptly apply to the higher authorities to pay the fees for 'Chen's Pharmaceutical.'"

Magistrate Liu looked at them intently and finally nodded: "We will petition the higher authorities to commend you both for your deeds."

He drank the wine in one gulp and repeated:

"I will definitely submit a memorial to the court to commend you both. This achievement belongs to you."

Magistrate Liu thought it through—such a great achievement must be clearly stated and not claimed as his own.

Because the matter was too significant for just a small town. It had reached the capital, and the court would eventually send someone to verify the situation. Moreover, Huo Jilin had a mighty general backing him in the capital.

Huo Jilin smiled faintly and said nothing. Dongling County was on the front lines of the epidemic and had controlled it best. The court had already sent people down, and they would arrive in a few days.

Even if Magistrate Liu wanted to claim the credit, he wouldn't be able to.

Magistrate Liu personally poured wine for Huo Jilin again: "Regional Commander Huo, with you here, I can rest easy about Dongling County's safety. However,"

Magistrate Liu looked at Huo Jilin and said: "Brother Huo is not one to stay in a small pond. Your promotion is imminent. Perhaps Dongling County can no longer keep you."

Although this Magistrate Liu was ineffective, his decade in officialdom had given him a keen eye for promotions.

Huo Jilin smiled noncommittally. His achievements were indeed substantial, and perhaps in a few days he would be heading to the capital.

Now he could go to the capital.

The imperial power had changed hands, and the Huo family was no longer guilty.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Magistrate Liu guessed that he must have received word in advance.

After all, he had connections behind him. So Magistrate Liu became even more eager: "When that time comes, I hope Regional Commander Huo will remember Dongling County. I will also do my utmost to expand 'Chen's Pharmaceutical' and make it the pillar of the town!"

Through this epidemic, he had also come to understand the importance of "Chen's Pharmaceutical." It had not only saved the people but could also become a source of revenue in the future.

Huo Jilin gave him an appreciative glance this time. This Magistrate Liu was also shrewd when it came to money. He knew to hold onto a profitable enterprise.

Huo Jilin clinked glasses with him: "Then I'll leave 'Chen's Pharmaceutical' in your care, Magistrate Liu."

Magistrate Liu quickly said: "Not at all, not at all. This was established through Doctor Chen's hard work. Of course, I must maintain it on his behalf. Rest assured, I will renew the license for 'Chen's Pharmaceutical.'"

Seeing that the two men had finished discussing important matters, Lady Yuan smiled at Chen Jue: "I never imagined Doctor Chen could have such remarkable medical skills, far surpassing those men. You are truly a hero among the ge. Let me toast to you as well!"

Chen Jue clinked glasses with her. Having been in this place for a year, he had long known that ge held the lowest status. In their minds, ge shouldn't know anything.

However, the concepts of this era were deeply ingrained, so Chen Jue didn't mind Lady Yuan's surprised compliment.

Lady Yuan wanted to say more to him but didn't know where to begin.

She didn't understand medicine, and apart from medicine, Chen Jue didn't seem interested in anything else. Just like when she had opened her dowry box earlier—even if he didn't like the silver, there was plenty of jewelry and accessories, but Chen Jue's eyes didn't light up the way hers did. So Lady Yuan really didn't know what Chen Jue liked.

She had hosted many tea parties before, and Chen Jue had never attended any. So she had no idea how to talk to him. She asked why he hadn't brought his child, how old the child was, and after those questions, the two had nothing left to say.

Chen Jue also knew that Lady Yuan didn't know what to talk to him about; that was his problem.

His old nickname was "Conversation Killer." It wasn't that he lacked social awareness or didn't know how to make small talk—he just didn't want to, so most of the time he said very little.

Magistrate Liu and Huo Jilin also had trouble keeping the conversation going. After exchanging the usual pleasantries, Magistrate Liu found himself at a loss for words.

Huo Jilin's old nickname wasn't for nothing—he wasn't much of a talker either. Unless it was about business, he didn't have much to say.

If he could say it in one sentence, he wouldn't use two.

Staying quiet was his way of being polite, because his words were too sharp. It was already a blessing that he didn't rain on anyone's parade.

So this dinner party was completely different from the ones Magistrate Liu had hosted before; he didn't even know what to say.

Luckily, the food Magistrate Liu served was pretty good, and there were a couple of dishes Chen Jue really liked, so he ate well.

Huo Jilin also said to Magistrate Liu, "Since you've invited us for a family meal, Magistrate Liu, no need to be so formal. Just treat it like your own home."

Magistrate Liu snapped out of it and laughed heartily. "Right, I was being too stiff. Regional Commander Huo, Doctor Chen, please make yourselves at home. Treat this as a family meal."

He was the one acting like a guest, while these two were way more relaxed than him.

These two were nothing like any of the big shots he'd ever met.

After the meal, Magistrate Liu saw the two off.

Staring at the small chest of valuables he hadn't been able to give away, Magistrate Liu took a deep breath. He needed to hurry and file for their commendations. He wouldn't hold back, and he couldn't either.

As Huo Jilin had predicted, the emperor's commendation decree arrived a month later.

It arrived right before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The epidemic was over, folks had bounced back, and smiles were back on everyone's faces. So on this happy reunion holiday, Dongling County finally regained its former liveliness.

A big procession carrying gifts made a racket as it moved from the busiest market in Dongling County all the way to Pingshan Village.

Fortunately, the road from Pingshan Village to Dongling County had been repaired over the past six months.

The townsfolk, spotting the yellow canopy, tagged along from a distance, since even Magistrate Liu was leading the parade—it had to be something huge.

Since they were headed to Dongling County, which was Doctor Chen's place, they had to tag along and see what was up.

"They're going to Doctor Chen's house, aren't they?"

"Of course they are! Doctor Chen rendered such great service—he saved so many of us. The emperor must be rewarding him!"

"Doctor Chen's got a kind heart and saves lives. He's a real-life bodhisattva. He deserves all these rewards!"

"Let's all go congratulate Doctor Chen!"

"Doctor Chen works miracles and has a compassionate heart. He's a role model for all of us, a great doctor for our Dongling County, for our Great Liang..."

The scholars all came too. And with them came a nonstop flood of praise and flattery.

The guy sent by imperial order to deliver the edict to Huo Jilin was a sixth-rank messenger from the Secretariat. Sitting across from him was Lord Liu, the emperor's eunuch attendant. The two listened from inside the carriage, traded a look, and thought it was odd—this wasn't what they'd expected.

This Doctor Chen was even more famous than Huo Jilin of the Huo family?

Lord Liu's expression grew more complicated. He'd been sent by the emperor to check out this Huo family descendant.

He'd figured Huo Jilin would be the famous one, but he never thought his husband would be even more well-known. These folks were singing his husband's praises, which wasn't what they'd expected.

The two listened the whole way and wanted to hear more, but they'd already reached Pingshan Village. The roads in Pingshan Village were nice and smooth, so even walking, it only took half an hour. When they got to the bridge, they saw Village Head Zhou leading the villagers to greet them.

Someone had already come ahead to let Huo Jilin know.

The villagers all swarmed around the procession as it headed to Huo Jilin's place.

Huo Jilin and Chen Jue waited at the front door. Since the decree was for him, they'd do it at his place.